($835) Movers From Hartford, CT to Portland, ME

What to know before moving from Hartford to Portland

Moving from Hartford to Portland comes with exciting new opportunities — but also higher living costs. Since Portland is generally more expensive than Hartford, it’s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Portland are 50% higher than in Hartford, which means you’ll have less money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Hartford.
  Home prices in Portland are 229.3% higher than in Hartford.
• Income in Portland is 9.7% lower than in Hartford, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Portland include TD Banknorth Inc, Maine Medical Center, and Unum Life Insurance Company of America.
• Be sure to budget for higher bills in Portland, since the cost of living for a single person in Portland is 19.5% higher than in Hartford. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• If you’re moving your family to Portland, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Portland is 16.9% higher than in Hartford.
• The unemployment rate in Portland is 62.86% lower than in Hartford.
• You’ll spend less on retail and restaurants in Portland, since the city’s sales taxes in Portland are 13.39% lower than in Hartford.
• State income taxes in Portland are 93.33% higher than in Hartford.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $3,584.17 in Portland to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Hartford.

How life is different in Hartford vs. Portland

• Portland might offer you a slower pace of life, since the population is about 43% less than Hartford.
• Getting around Portland without a car might be more difficult than in Hartford. Portland has a public transportation score of 6 out of 10, whereas Hartford is ranked 8. Ratings are based on a city’s transit connectivity, service frequency, and accessibility to key destinations like jobs and grocery stores.
• Portland neighborhoods and districts might not be as easy to navigate on foot as Hartford. Based on its score of 62 out of 100, Portland isn’t as walkable as Hartford, which has a score of 67 out of 100. The higher the walkability score a city has, the easier it is to access amenities. The most walkable cities also tend to be more densely populated and have shorter block lengths.
• If cycling is your thing, Portland is considered more bike-friendly than Hartford in terms of designated lanes and connectivity and how many residents opt to commute on two wheels rather than by car. Portland has a bike-friendliness score of 68 out of 100, while Hartford is rated as 54 out of 100.
• Portland has a lower crime rate than Hartford based on scores of 32.16 and Hartford's 63.75, respectively. The crime index shows how safe a city is perceived to be. So, a lower score generally means less crime.
• You might find more confidence in your overall safety in Portland than in Hartford, based on Portland’s safety index of 67.84 versus 36.25 for Hartford. With this index, higher scores indicate more safety, particularly around how comfortable residents feel walking alone during the day and at night.
• You can breathe easy knowing that Portland has better air quality than in Hartford. Portland has Good air quality, compared to moderate in Hartford. Ratings of good to moderate mean very low risk of health concerns, although people with conditions like asthma or allergies could be affected. Beyond the moderate rating, health concerns increase for some or all residents.

Other things to consider for your Hartford vs. Portland move

• Weather: August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Portland, while January and February are the least comfortable months.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Maine, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a Maine moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: Maine does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Portland. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Consider cost-free Released Value Protection from movers in Maine, offering basic coverage at 60 cents per pound. If you seek full-value protection, discuss alternative options with your chosen moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Portland

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Forest City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Portland.

Helpful moving resources